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The Roman Empire at its peak covered millions of square miles of ground, encompassing a vast variety of cultures of people. In order to ensure continued peace and stability in such a mammoth multiethnic empire, the Roman Army was forced to engage and repel a variety of foreign opponents utilizing different tactics across a wide spectrum of terrain, from Macedonian phalanxes on flat plains to Gallic barbarian hordes on forested ground. Simultaneously, the Roman Army also had to avoid compromising internal stability and maintain a force capable of putting down a large range of insurrectionist forces. Even today, with the improved mobility, communication capability, equipment, and logistical infrastructure that modern technology provides, such a task seems dauntingly difficult. This paper will examine the factors that allowed the Roman Army to effectively accomplish such a task, namely the Army’s tactics and formations, adaptable troop composition, and flexible strategic deployment.

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Apr 28th, 1:00 PMApr 28th, 2:15 PM

The Roman Army: Strategy, Tactics, and Innovation

The Roman Empire at its peak covered millions of square miles of ground, encompassing a vast variety of cultures of people. In order to ensure continued peace and stability in such a mammoth multiethnic empire, the Roman Army was forced to engage and repel a variety of foreign opponents utilizing different tactics across a wide spectrum of terrain, from Macedonian phalanxes on flat plains to Gallic barbarian hordes on forested ground. Simultaneously, the Roman Army also had to avoid compromising internal stability and maintain a force capable of putting down a large range of insurrectionist forces. Even today, with the improved mobility, communication capability, equipment, and logistical infrastructure that modern technology provides, such a task seems dauntingly difficult. This paper will examine the factors that allowed the Roman Army to effectively accomplish such a task, namely the Army’s tactics and formations, adaptable troop composition, and flexible strategic deployment.